AUTHOR CATHERINE KEAN ON A MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS CUSTOM THAT GAVE BIRTH TO A ROMANCE

Catherine Kean is an award-winning author of more than twenty medieval romances, but when her Muse encouraged her to venture into other romance genres, she had the good sense to listen. Learn more about Catherine and her books at her website.

Setting a story in the Middle Ages around Christmastime poses some challenges, since eight hundred years ago Christmastide, for the most, part was celebrated as a religious holiday. However, when I stumbled upon information on the Lord of Misrule, I knew I’d found the perfect inspiration for A Knight’s Redemption, the sixth book of my Knight’s Series.

The Lord of Misrule tradition may have originated from the Roman festival of Saturnalia, which took place in December and involved a sacrifice, feasting, wild reveling, and appointment of a king who ruled over the festivities. In Medieval times, a man chosen from among the lower classes—say, a peasant or servant—was picked days before Christmas to become head of the household. He would rule as lord for a few days, weeks, or even months. 

Can you imagine a humble farmer, who’d struggled to feed his family and care for his livestock, suddenly being given all of the authority and privileges of his noble liege? It obviously provided an opportunity for abuses of power, but also added to the Christmas merriment.

The Lord of Misrule oversaw the Christmas feasts, pantomimes, musical entertainment, and general revelry. According to historical sources, celebrating the Lord of Misrule often led to widespread drunkenness, trickery, gambling, and licentiousness, which sounds a bit like some modern parties.

In A Knight’s Redemption, my hero, a fourteen-year-old squire, is shocked to be appointed the Lord of Misrule for Branton Keep. Bolstered by the wild cheering of the folk in the great hall, and intrigued by the shy, visiting Lady Mary Westbrook, he demands her kiss. He’d never be able to kiss her otherwise.

Mary is really in no position to refuse. But, believing that kisses are acts of love, she does say no, and for her defiance, is locked in the castle dungeon. 

Embarrassed to have been spurned by her, Holden only intended for her to be locked up a short while, but a fire in the town draws him away from the keep and only later does he return to let her out. She never wants to see him again. Nevertheless, Fate brings them back together six years later. 

Will Holden be able to right what went wrong at Christmas years ago? Holden and Mary’s story tugged at my heartstrings, but I do believe they got the perfect Christmas happily-ever-after.

A Knight’s Redemption

Knight’s Series, Book 6

Six Christmases ago, after refusing his kiss, Lady Mary Westbrook was locked in the dungeon by Lord Holden Kendall, a squire at Branton Keep. When an attempted child abduction days before Christmas brings Holden back to the castle, Mary must confront again what happened between them.

Holden is a grown warrior now, and he resolves to not only make matters right with Mary, but finally win her kiss. Yet, as peril ensues, Mary must risk far more than a chance at true love.

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AUTHOR GINA DANNA ON REGENCY AND VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

A USAToday bestselling author, Gina Danna has spent the better part of her life reading. History has always been her love and she spent numerous hours devouring historical romance stories, always dreaming of writing one of her own. After years of writing historical academic papers she finally found time to write her own historical romantic novels. Learn more about Gina and her books at her website. 

Celebrating the Holidays – Regency style

As the holidays approach today, in the 21^st century, now is when we rev-up for all the festivities. We moan Christmas decorations arriving in the stores prior to Halloween (and in some, at the end of August!), but by November, we anxiously prepare for getting through Thanksgiving to put up our Christmas tree, decorate our homes, and shop for the perfect gift! Soon, sleigh bells will be ringing as buildings blink their holiday lights at night. Ah, tradition!

But truly, this version of the holidays is not that old. Christmas as a commercial celebration did not swing into gear until the late 19^th century, well past the Regency era. Yes, I can hear you asking didn’t they celebrate during Jane Austen’s time? Yes, but be prepared for anything other than the Hallmark movies.

During the Regency era and before, Christmas time was celebrating the birth of the Christ child. Often times, mass was a midnight affair, with families going en masse to it with an early fancy breakfast afterward. Churches that did not have the midnight service, offered an early morning affair, elaborate on music and jubilation on Mary and Joseph’s expected child. Again, a large breakfast was held afterward.

But wait – what about presents and the Christmas tree? The tree itself was part of the Germanic culture celebration – the Tannenbaum tree, introduced to the English (and then American) society when Queen Victorian married Prince Edward, who was of Germanic descent. 

Originally, Queen Victoria had a small evergreen on a table, like a centerpiece, lit with candles on the limbs. These candles, hung with a weighted stand so as to balance it, were lit Christmas morning, prior to the children coming to breakfast. A bucket of sand stood nearby in case there was an accident. As to the gifts, originally these were more for the children. Not toys, per se, but candies, an orange (which was particularly prized, since it was not in season), stockings, and a doll or model horse. These were hung, unwrapped, on the tree. So the scene must have been spectacular, even though short-lived.

Also, keep in mind, Christmas celebrations continued for the next twelve days with parties and merriment. There were balls and visits to neighbors. In the New World, oftentimes (during the Victorian era for sure), these twelve days were frequently the times when slaves were given ‘freedom’ from chores, to be with their families. The making of the Yuletide log was a point of reference to this practice, for as long as it burned, slaves had free time, so when they were sent to find the Yuletide log, they looked for the greenish stump, since green wood smoldered longer.

For our Regency period, this was also the time of house parties, where guests stayed for a week or longer. At these parties there were dances, fancy dinners, parlor games, and hunts. A fun time for all! And if true love was discovered, it was the greatest gift of them all! Merry Christmas!

A Merry Wicked Christmas

Lady Marina Lockhart's dreams of her upcoming Season debut are squashed by her father's news of an arranged marriage. An unexpected invitation to attend a country Christmas house party with her cousin carries the improbable hope of meeting a gentleman who will save her.

After a disastrous engagement, Phineas Carrollton, the Marquis of Huntington, buries himself in the affairs of running his country estate but begrudgingly agrees to host his sister's Christmas festivities. When he meets the lovely Lady Marina, his dismal mood is swept away by a passion he believed was dead inside him.

A sudden snowstorm strands Phineas and Marina at a hidden cottage, but her hopes of marriage vanish when he weaves a story concealing their time together, shattering her heart and dreams to save her from a loveless match, for she has fallen for the dashing Marquis. She obeys her father's summons to return to London for the wedding, holding in her heart the cherished memory of Phineas, a flame for the bleak years of marriage she faces. Unable to deny that Marina has ignited his heart, Phineas refuses to believe that she loves anyone but him. His headlong rush to London to stop the wedding will be only the beginning of his challenge.

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